Written by Though it’s been years since I’ve taken a nap of any kind during the day, I have to envy a cat’s ability to do so. Moreover, I love it when they just sit still, basking in the sun for a tick while remaining totally alert. I wonder what they’re thinking about during these moments. And I wonder how they can possibly sit still for that long. The entire concept of sitting prone for long periods and doing absolutely nothing is almost crazy to me as I tend to bounce from once thing to the next all of the time. The idea of actually napping for humans began in Ancient Egypt where the cat was a sacred animal so humans began to mimic their habits. As it turns out, the cats had it right, as experts agree that short little naps during the day can indeed help restore one’s energy and increase productivity. But today, pausing for even a moment seems more difficult than ever. There are so many distractions around now, and likely hundreds more than the Ancient Egyptians ever had to deal with on a daily basis. Cats involvement in technology usually just consists of walking across a computer keyboard and randomly typing things before laying down to sleep. Actually, that’s sometimes how it feels these posts are created.
Though I’m quite sure that sleeping at your desk while at work is still considered a bit of a taboo, it’s an intriguing notion. Perhaps, we humans do need to not only unplug sometimes, but actually hit the “off” button. I’ve only been able to day sleep a few times in my life and usually only when I’m sick with the flu. But, I’m a pro at daydreaming and that’s very much the same thing. In fact, no that I consider it, I have sat still for several minutes during the day while imagining things in my mind. Certainly not as long as a cat, but I am only human after all. Yet, the act of taking moments to imagine and just think about life in general is a very rewarding one. I find that I rarely get very stressed about things. Sure, there are a million things demanding my attention and I often find myself running a bit behind. But, I know from experience that I’ll always catch up at some point. I also know that turning my thoughts in a different direction is often the exact thing I needed to get through whatever little crisis I’m currently facing. It’s totally counterintuitive, of course, but that’s usually when everything really starts to make sense to me.
When people use a phrase like counterintuitive, they aren’t talking about my personal intuition, but a collective reasoning that often isn’t really about intuition at all. It’s just what everyone else is doing. That’s fine, of course, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it’s just that I want life to be about something more. Something weirder and wilder that only I could imagine. Living a truly creative life means that you end up wandering down those paths less traveled. The ones that look like they could be a path, but don’t have those telling footprints to reassure you. When I’m imagining things in my mind, I feel like I’m going on a little adventure. Even if I don’t actually do all of the things that occurred to me in that moment, the idea of them has a wonderful effect on me. I feel energized and recharged and ready to tackle whatever reality I’m currently facing. I’m not being counterintuitive, but totally following my intuition and letting it take me where it thinks I need to go next. That’s made life rather enjoyable indeed. And now, I think I realize what our feline companions are trying to tell us. Sometimes, life’s challenges can best be solved by doing the unthinkable, and simply taking a cat nap.
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Cats sleep 12 – 16 hours a day! Of course, I’m convinced that cats can either time travel or cross dimensions, so while it looks as though they are sleeping, they are actually on a journey to places we’ll never go. This is why they always look at us as though we’re totally stupi… er… they are much wiser then we are. They are! Love your cat, and your ramble was a fun read, as always!
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕hehe! I totally agree… time travel is literally the only way to explain that knowing look they have! lol And that’s a really cool think to think about!
I wish I had your energy, Charlie! 😃 My cat and I often take a “cat” nap during the day… it helps me recharge. 🐱 I think its great that your imagination takes you on fabulous adventures as it shows how creative you are! 🎨👍
Aww thanks, Jill! 😃💕 Hehe… Oh, I would totally nap if I could… Phineas thinks I’m insane for not doing so! lol And yay for anything that’s helps us recharge… it’s so important when we’re making art! 😉
We live with four cats. There is a lot of napping going on around here. I was never one to nap. Joe has always conked out after dinner. He can nap at the drop of a hat. I always thought it was weird. Turns out, as I have gotten older, napping has overtaken me too. I fight it, but sometimes I just can’t stop my eyes from closing. I hate it because I don’t want to miss anything. It makes me wonder how I was as a baby. If my parents were still alive I would be calling right now to find out. Mom would be napping. Dad would be up though. There may be some hereditary nap gene that could be looked into.
hehe… yeah, I wonder about that nap gene as well. And I’m rather convinced I’ve inherited my mother’s genes there. She doesn’t sleep much at all. Of course, I’ve also inherited her penchant for coffee so that must have something to do with it! I say, let the nap take you away.. everything will be there when you return and how lovely! 😃💕
I’m a dog person. Cats always seem to me to be withholding some valuable secret (along with blind loyalty and affection)! I’ve never been able to nap, although I am prone to day dreaming, which I call “life-rehearsal.”
Love that! I think daydreaming is much better described as “life rehearsal”! 😃💕 And yay, I’m a dog person as well, but cats continue to fascinate me with their secrets! hehe
My four cats they play n than having a nap i love their nap, as this time they are naping. N iam also saying u bye ,for naping, nice cat. Mom
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕Yeah, I think cats are very wise and are telling us that we should all take a moment to nap more. hehe
Beautiful cat, Charlie. We have 3 cats, each with its own, distinct personality and the “catabilty” to nap for hours. I can’t remember the last time I took a nap….too many things I want to do every day and I justt don’t seem to he geared to sitting still long enough to fall asleep during the day. Some days I think I would like to take a nap but the minute I sit down an idea pops into my head and I’m up and running again. There are just too few hours in the day to do everything I want to-do.
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one! And thanks for letting me know I’m not alone…. hehe… I’m the same! I try to sit still and nap when I have the time, but sitting still produces an idea and then I simply have to chase it!
We have rescues and whenever they are napping, or stretching, or purring away, I wonder if they are saying Thank You in their own quiet way. Because life is very busy, they make me grateful for the quiet moments.
Thanks so lovely, Carol! 😃💕 I’m sure they are saying Thank You and also… please join us… live is never better than in those quiet moments. 😉
I don’t like to take naps. That means I have to stop! However last week, we had colder weather (and some snow) and our cat was in all night. She is a party girl, so she is up a lot in the middle of the night, which she wants to include me in. No one else in the house. So I did not get much sleep and found myself taking a nap one day. Wow! Just a short 10 minutes and I was rejuvenated. I still don’t like them, hate waking from them. That kitty of yours needs to have his ears scratched and then playtime.
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed my kitty! And I’m the same… can’t stop to nap and always feel like I’m wasting time. But, yep, the moment one decides to happen in spite of me, it’s an amazing thing indeed! lol
Cute! He has that look of “pet me” which seems all too familiar. I’ve never been one to nap unless I’m unwell – I wake up feeling more exhausted than beforehand. Daydreaming sounds much better!
Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 hehe… nothing wrong with “pet me” look! 😉 lol And yeah, I agree. I can’t really nap and when one happens and lasts longer than ten minutes it’s like I’m coming out of fog and I don’t like it. I’ll stick to daydreaming!
Cat nap is such a perfect phrase. I have to admit I’ve started to do that occasionally myself…I can blame it on old age I guess! (K)
Thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕 Hehe… that sounds like a lovely benefit of age if you ask me! 😉
It is!
Charlie says, “I have sat still for several minutes during the day”
Not very often, I would bet! Love this and the cat.
Thanks, Sarah! 😃💕 Lol… yeah… not very often, but since I’m daydreaming like a crazy person when I do, it’s hardly like a nap. hehe